strut housing size 45 vs 51mm

[ill4noreason]

Ok so I have searched and have not found what I'm looking for. I just want to know if there is any downside to using a 1984 318i strut housing on a 1987 325ic? Basically my strut housing got smashed and now I only have a 318i drivers side strut housing. I know that on the early 318's the strut diameter is different 45mm old 318's and is 51mm 87 vert... Besides that they look the exact same.

That being said is the actual strut any different? I just want a solid answer before I use the 84 housing. I already pulled it off today. I just don't want it be weaker on the drivers side. Or will the new strut compensate and just work harder on drivers side? This will only be temporary until I buy Konis in a month or so...

Thanks for any help.

[Holland]

IIRC the larger strut tubes have the provisions for ABS, the smaller ones do not.

[Jean]

Not exactly right, but close :) Some of the 51mm housings did not have provisions for abs sensors as well. Also, the early housings have non-vented rotors... There is no reason to use these really, find a correct set as they are not expensive.

So when you buy koni inserts, you plan on doing strut housings again?

[ill4noreason]

yes I plan on finding the proper one and redoing it the right way once I order konis and do cutting/welding... I just wanna drive my car up to gutenfest and to a local meet or two tired of it sitting in garage and really have not had a chance to drive it far since the swap. But for now I just wanna drive. I don't care if I have to pull them off again I'm getting fast at it... I just know that I won't have the konis in for at least a week as i talked to mark at ground control earlier in the week. So need a temporary setup.

[reelizmpro]

No abs on 84-85 318/325 period. Don't waste your time and money. Get the right strut!

[Jean]

yes I plan on finding the proper one and redoing it the right way once I order konis and do cutting/welding... I just wanna drive my car up to gutenfest and to a local meet or two tired of it sitting in garage and really have not had a chance to drive it far since the swap. But for now I just wanna drive. I don't care if I have to pull them off again I'm getting fast at it... I just know that I won't have the konis in for at least a week as i talked to mark at ground control earlier in the week. So need a temporary setup.

Oh ok, then yeah they will "work", minus abs. Just would suck having to do the labor twice....